The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-04-27
THE FAIR OF TIE MANNING
GUARDS.

The town of Manning has never,
nor is it likely that it will again in q
long time, witness gayer, happier,
more brilliant scene than the occasion
of the Fair OF the Manning Guards
Il was success, full and complete, a
success beyond even the expectations
Of its most sanguine promoters. The
Guards are delighted, their friends
are iubilant and join with them in
making merry over their victory.
AS preliminary to the Fair, the
ssrget shooting arranged between the
Hampton Light Dragons, the Connor
Mounted Rifles, and the Guards, took
place on Wednesday afternoon before
a large crowd, the friends Of the re-
spective companies. A team of ten
men from each command was selected
and silver goblet inlaid with gold,
was put up by the Guards to be award
ed to the team making the largest
score. Ghe Guards, to the surprise of
great many, were the winners, max
ing 8 score of 1872 out Of g possible OF
800. The Connor Mounted Rifles
came next with score Of l12. This
seemed poor shooting, but the fact
must be considered that the compan-
les had none, or very little practice at
the most, with their rifles. AIr. Eddie
Briggs, of the Connor Mounted Rifles,
made the best individual score. Tie
Fair proper opened Wednesday even
ing. The people began to gather at
early snndown, and by nine O'Clock
The courtroom was filed to its ut
most capacity. The exhibition pre-
sented to the beholder ct that hour
was one not socn to be forgotten. Tie
elaborate ana exquisite decorations Of
the room and the elegant costumes Of
the young lady attendants at the lem
onade wells, flower tables, etc, iain-
gIed with the magnificent dresses Of
the visiting ladies and the sober hab-
iliments of their gallant beaux, made
lovely ) scene, 6t for the eyes to gaze
upon in admiration. The beauty and
chivalry of Clarendon, with q fair rep
resenta:ion from oth.r counties, made
one gay festive tbrorg, all joined to-
gether under one common purpose,
to make the Fair OF the Manning
Guardsa grand success TIE refresh
ment tables, dinner and desert tables,
and every other stand Oh wl.ich any
thing was to be sold. was patronized
hberally. To the sweetest strains Of
music rendered by three Italians, the
feeling and impulse of the gay carni-
val kept happy pace to the hour Of
eleven O'Clock. This was the hourfor
the important andl-~irup pTessive cere-
ol Transferring to the keeping OF
the Manning Guards the beautiful
dsg presented to their predecessors
and namesakes, by the ladies Of Clar-
endon ID 1861. The Guards having
previously assembled in their armory
promptly marched in the hail under
Lieutenant Bonham, with soldierly
tramp! tramp! and formed a line in
the middle OF the building. Captain
john c. Manning, who has been tie
custodian of the flag for number of
years, was expected to make the pre-
sentation, but at a late hour inforna-
ton was received that he was una
voidsbly detained at home. At the
instance Of Captain Levi, J. S. Wilson,
Esq, acted for ar. Manning. Direct
ly sfter the Guards had fallen into
line, Mr.. Wilson with the colors in
his hands, stepped in front Of the Com
pany and amid profound silence, ad-
dressed the Guards as follows:
GESuEMEN OF TEE MANNING GUARDS In
the absence of the generous and patriotic
doner Of this beautiful tag--Capta;n john
c. Manning, the representative Of the gal.
lant and chivalrous first Captain Of tie Old
Manning Guards, the lamented Colonel
Brown Manning, the pleasant privilege and
high honor have been tie!egar 10 ne to act
in Captain Mannings stead N presenting
to you this very appropriate and highly
priced glft. Iregret, and doubtless you al
do, that Captain Manning could not be pres
ent to present these colors n perso2 I
will read to you his letter written to your
Captain
FULros, S. c., April1S, 1887.
Captain 4. Levi, Con'naa7sding H!l,,.iag G!c,,lS,
4aaa'aiag, s. c.
DEAR SIR: At the commencement of the
late war, the ladies lever first TO stimulate
men to deeds of valor), got up 4 flag for tae
Manning Guard" which was organized
dune 18th, 1866 his flag was not ready
in time, and the i. .nning Guards went TO
Virginia without one; and as the Guards
were the centre company in the Legion aod
: thus the Color Company. the flag given by
the ladies never went into battle. Ny faith
er. who then commanded the Guards there
fore, carefully preserved the flag, and thus
it is, taat !, as his representative, have the
honor to present to your command, ,chicie is
Scion Of ihe old lfa7sning Guard, your coiors.
In committing this flag 10 your keeYing,
gentlemen Of the Manning Guards, Let me
add that it was made for brave men to fight
under, and for men who would have honor
ed it and protected it from dishonor With
their lives. 1t now remains for you to keep
it as prlre and as unsulied as it would have
been kept by the old Manning Guard"
Wishing your command every success, l
JOHN C. MANNING.